How counsellors generate process knowledge: A content analysis of commentaries on referrals concerning gambling

Abstract

The present study aimed to identify and classify counsellors? cognitive processes, as manifest in transcripts of verbal commentaries on written referrals concerning gamblers. Sampling was purposive to ensure that participants worked in a range of agencies and differed in regard to their personal characteristics, professional qualifications, and employment histories. Cognitive processes were identified by means of a content analysis of all transcripts. They were then ordered in a taxonomy comprising three broad categories with related sub-categories. However, differences between transcripts suggested that counsellors had different analytic capacities. Findings raise questions regarding the training and certification of counsellors and suggest some strategies for improving clinical reasoning and judgments.